Death Be Not Proud

One thing that I have come to accept about life is that death is inevitable. No matter how you may live your life there is one certainty that it will come to an end. The weird part though, is that nobody prepares themselves for death although it is expected. I guess we are all busy trying to enjoy our time on Earth than worry about the obvious. I remember how I felt when my first best friend (my grandfather) passed away. He knew he had breast cancer and he was ready to die.

 As much as I was perplexed by his decision to quit so easily, I understood his willingness to give up on life. I have realised how the older generation look at the youth with discontent, we have become so unruly that it has become poignant to watch. Teenage pregnancies, the rise in sexual freedom and teenage drinking are amongst the problems facing our youth today. We are subconsciously digging our own graves and yet we are baffled when headlines read ’18 year-old takes stand for murder’. 

The gift of life is precious and it needs to be appreciated. Make your life on Earth worth living for, whether it be making a change in someone’s life or choosing to serve God. Choose to be remembered for your good deeds rather than be associated with bad ways. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “in the end it’s not about the years in your life that count-it’s about the life in those years.” To all those that have considered ending their lives, you have to acknowledge that your presence on Earth is not a mere coincidence. Voluntary death has never solved any problems, instead it adds on the problem. 

When I hear about death, my body shivers because I know that there is an ultimatum at the end of the road. Depending on the way you have lived your life you will either perish or reach God’s glory. Now look at your life and ask yourself which direction is your end looking towards. The Devil is destroying the youth bit by bit and some die because they succumb to the pressure. Death comes at a time we least expect it but you must never fear it-instead we should fear God. The Lord says in Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”

By Andisiwe Mtengwane